Offended by a NFL player kneeling during the national anthem? Get your money back.

A state lawmaker in Indiana is proposing a law that would allow fans to collect a refund from the Indianapolis Colts if they feel disrespected by anthem protests.

Advertisement

"To me when they take a knee during the national anthem, it’s not respecting the national anthem or our country," Rep. Milo Smith, who is filing the legislation, told the Indy Star. "Our government isn’t perfect, but it's still the best country in the world and I think we need to be respectful of it."

Smith said he was offended when he attended a September game in which some Colts players joined Cleveland Browns players in kneeling during the anthem.

"I'm pretty patriotic, and it didn't sit right with me," Smith said.

Earlier in the season, the protests – which most players say are meant to bring attention to police brutality and social issues – dominated the NFL more than the scores of the games. Even President Donald Trump waded into the conversation, saying players who kneel should be fired.

Smith's law wouldn't require refunds if the visiting team kneeled on the Colts' home field, as the 49ers did earlier this season, prompting Vice President and former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to leave the game.

While the Colts had no comment on Smith's law, the ACLU found the proposal disturbing.

"In effect by passing the law, government would be weighing in...and fining political speech by the Indianapolis Colts," said Jane Henegar, executive director of ACLU Indiana. "It seems like the worst thing that could happen is government weighing in and trying to control in any direction the political speech of private actors."